Folder

ABSTRACT

A folder for holding a sheet includes two panels interconnected by strap systems that form two different hinges as the panels are folded over each other. The straps and panels form pockets for storing the sheet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a folder for holding papers and other similar laminar material, and more particularly to a folder having two flat panels interconnected by straps.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Folders are frequently used for both business and personal uses to hold several sheets of documents, pictures, and other thin and sheet-like laminar materials. Existing folders usually consist of two panels joined by a live hinge. Each of the panels is formed with one or more inner pockets. In addition, folders are also available with external pockets. The internal pockets normally extend no more than about half the length of the respective pannel.

A problem with existing folders is that the sheets must be inserted carefully into the pockets so that they are not creased or otherwise distorted. This is problem is especially acute when sheets of several different sizes, shapes and thicknesses are loaded into the pockets at different times. A further problem is that if the pockets are short, they do not provide sufficient support and protection to the sheets, and, as a result, the sheets may fall out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A folder constructed in accordance with this invention consists of two panels interconnected by two non-overlapping strap systems, each strap system consisting of at least one strap. Preferably at least one of the strap systems consists of two outer straps disclosed close to the top and the bottom of the panels while the second strap system includes one or more central straps disposed between the outer straps. The ends of the straps are connected to the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a folder constructed in accordance;

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the folder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the folder of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

FIG. 4 shows the folder in the first configuration with a stack of sheets;

FIG. 5 shows the folder in the second configuration with the stack of sheets disposed in a pocket;

FIG. 6 shows the folder of FIG. 5 after it has been folded with the stack shifted to the other panel; and

FIG. 7 shows a folder with a central strap system formed of a single strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an improved folder 10 constructed in accordance with this invention. The folder 10 is formed of two panels 12 and 14. The panels may be made of cardboard, plastic or other similar somewhat stiff materials and may be covered with leather or other decorative materials. The folder further includes two strap systems 16 and 18 interconnecting the two panels. In FIG. 1 each strap system includes two straps (16A, 16B), (18A, 18B). The straps of the first system are connected to the first edges 12A, 14A and the straps of the second system are connected to the second edges 12B, 14B. However, other arrangements may be used as well as illustrated below.

Each strap has two ends, each end being secured to one of the panels, as at 20 by sewing, an adhesive, or other similar securing means. So, for example, one end of strap 16A is secured to one edge of panel 12 and the other end is secured to the edge of panel 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, one of the panels may have an outer pocket 22 that can be used for additional storage.

As shown in FIG. 1 the straps of system 16 are disposed close to the upper and lower edges of the panels, and are referred to as the outer straps. The straps of system 18 are disposed closer to the center of the panels, between the outer straps 16A, 16B and are referred to as the central straps 18A, 18B.

The two lateral edges of panels 12 and 14 are marked respectively as edges 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B. In FIG. 1 edges 12B, 14A are adjacent.

An interesting characteristic of the folder 10 is that the two panels can be folded over each along the hinge formed by the strap system between the edges 12B, 14A. Then the two panels can be unfolded by separating the edges 12B and 14A to obtain a new configuration shown in FIG. 3. In this configuration, edges 12A, 14B are adjacent and the two panels have switched sides as compared to the configuration of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows the folder 10 in the first configuration of FIG. 1 with a stack of sheets 12 disposed on panel 12. When the panels are folded and then unfolded to the second configuration, the central strap system 18 folds over the paper stack 30 and secures it over the panel gets secured to shifted to panel 12. The stack or individual sheets can be readily slipped out of the pocket formed between the strap system 18 and the panel 12. If the panels are folded over again, a new pocket is formed between the strap system 16 and the panel 12 and the stack is secured in this new pocket, as shown in FIG. 6.

In this manner a single sheet or a stack of sheets can be stored either by slipping them between the straps and the panels, or by placing them over the one of the panels and then folding the panels twice thereby causing the sheet(s) to be placed into one of the pockets between the strap systems and the panels. In order to support the sheets properly, the distance between the straps of each system must be smaller than the length of the sheets.

FIG. 7 shows a folder 10A with a single strap 18C. The strap may have an H-shape to faciliate inserting and removing the sheets from the folder 10A.

While the invention has been described with reference to several particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in particular should be considered as exemplary, not limiting, with respect to the following claims. 

1. A folder for holding one or more sheets comprising: a first and a second panel, each panel having first and second lateral edges; a first strap system including at least one strap connected between the first edges of the first panel and a second strap system including at least one strap connected between the second edges of first and second panel.
 2. The folder of claim 1 wherein one of strap systems has at least two straps.
 3. The folder of claim 1 wherein the straps of the first strap system are disposed adjacent near the top and bottom edges of the panels.
 4. The folder of claim 1 further comprising an exterior pocket attached to one of the pockets.
 5. A folder comprising: two panels having side edges; and straps having edges attached to panels and arranged to form a pocket for holding sheets.
 6. The folder of claim 5 wherein said straps and panels are arranged to accept a sheet on top of said straps when the panels are in a first configuration and wherein said sheet is switched into a pocket formed between the straps and one of the panels when the panels are folded to a second configuration.
 7. The folder of claim 6 wherein one of said straps has an H-shape. 